System and apparatus for flowing wells



June 10, 1941. J. D. NIXON SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FtOWING WELLS FiledMarch 10, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 10, 1941. J NlXON 2,245,010

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FLOWING WELLS June 10, 1941; NIXON 2,245,010

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FLOWING' WELLS Filed-March 10, 1941 5Sheets-Sheet 3 June 10, 1941. I N 2,245,010

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FLOWING WELLS Filed March 10, 1941 5Sheets-Sheet JEDD YD. N/xoN June 10, 1941. W 2,245,010

SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FLOWING WELLS Filed March 10; 1941 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June l0, 1941 4 SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR FLOWINGJeddy D. Nixon, Houston, Tex, r of onelral! to Wilson Supply Company,Houston, Tex,

'a corporation of Texas I Application March 10, 1941, Serial No. 382,489

' 25 Claims. (Cl. 103-232) This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in systems and apparatus for the flowing of wells.

This .application is iiled "as an improvement and a continuation inpart'of my co-pendingapp1ications, Serial No. 365,024, flled November 9,1940, and Serial No. 377,603, filed February 6, 1941. i

One object of the invention to provide an.

improved system and valve that serves the same purposes and functionsas, that set forth in my co-pending application, Serial No. 365,024,flled I November 9, 1940, and is an improvement thereon in action,structure and operation.

An important object of the invention is to provide an improved fluidinlet valve which is so constructed that the valve stem is a fullfloating type, whereby its movement or action is unimpeded, which makesit a; free acting valve stem.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved fluid inletvalve so arranged that the valve may be locked against and released foractuationywhereby when said valve is released, the same is fullypressure responsive or automatic in operation to the well flui'd and thelifting fluid and substantially all friction is elimihated to insure theproper operation of said valve.

'It is pointed out .that the larger portion of all wells fluctuate andvary in the quantity of fluid produced, the constituency or compositionof the produced fl 'd and the rate at which the wells produce theifluids. composition of the well fluid, as well as the amount of fluidallowed to be produced, are factors in determining the various producingconditions encountered. In producing fluid from a well with a pressureor a lifting fluid, the lifting fluid is stored or maintained in anannular space, usually the well casing, and the amount of pressure ofthe liftingfluid maintained gen- .erally determines the quantity of wellfluid that said well casing to control the amount of the fluid lifted,the intervals at which it is lifted and the velocity of the liftedfluid. However, any change in-theweight of the well fluid due to Also,the components or variance in the composition of said fluid does notaffect the operation of the inlet valve nor the surface'controlmechanism. Although, the different constituents of the well fluidencountered in various installations will affect the setting of thesurface control mechanism.

It is also possible to change the pressure differential of applicantsfluid inlet, valve to obtain the desired opening pressure in order toincrease ordecrease the velocity of the lifted'body or slug of wellfluid flowing up the tubing and through the flow line. Furthermore, bychanging the opening or operating pressure of the surface controlapparatus, diflerent weights and lengths of slugs may be satisfactorilyhandled, as well as the different back pressures that are set up by thevarious lengths of flow lines and other operating conditions.

vide an improved fluid inlet valve that may be so arranged'thatadjustments may be made to obtain various opening pressures in order toincrease or decrease the velocity of the lifted well fluid, whereby theopening pressure may be predetermined and set to handle the well fluidin accordance with the well conditions of the particular installation Astill further object of the invention is to provide an improved controlapparatus which may be so regulated that the opening pressure thereofmay be varied to handle diiferent weights and/ or lengths of liftedbodies of well fluids and the different back pressures encountered,whereby further producing conditions encountered may besatisfactorilysolved.

Another important object of the invention is to provide an improvedcontrol apparatus for the system which is'more flexible in operation andmore positive in control, whereby the mechanism may be regulated asdesired.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved controlapparatus that may operate to lock said inlet valve on one pressure andmay operate to unlock or release said valve on a different pressure,whereby said apparatus may be adjusted for the two different operatingpressures and these pressures may be predetermined to handle the variousproducing conditions encountered.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved surfacecontrol mechanism which may be changed or adapted to meet variousoperating conditions and which will control the actuation of anoperating element or bar, as shown in my above-mentioned, co-pendingapplication, or which may control a different type of operating element.v

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features and objects of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from the followingspecification and by reference I 24 extending below the casing string 23into the well shot hole S and having a perforated bull plug or strainer23 screwed onto its lower end, but it is to be understood that thetubing may be terminated at any desired point and its relation to thelower end of the casing may be to the accompanying drawings, in which anex ample of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, showingthe upper portion of a wellwith a well fluid lifting apparatus connectedthereon, constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a continuation of Figure l, partly in elevation and partly insection, showing the lower portion of the well casing and the tubingstring with fluid inlet'valves, constructed in accordance with theinvention, mounted in said tubing and the operating device therefor;

Figure 3 is plan view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1; i v

Figure 4 is a vertical, sectional view of a portion of the controlmechanism;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal, sectional view of on of the inlet valves,showing the valve closed and released and in position for automaticoperation;

Figure 6 is a similar view, showing the valve opened for the admissionof fluid;

' Figure 7' is a longitudinal, sectional view of the valve, showing saidvalve being closed and being fastened against automatic actuation.

Figure 8 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-8 ofFigure 5;

Figure 9 is a similar view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 5;

Figure 10 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the lineIll-Ill of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is a similar view taken on the line of Figure '7;

Figure 12 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line |2|2of Figure 7;

Figure 13 is a view, similar to Figure 4, showing a modified form of thecontrol mechanism;

Figure 14 is a detail view of the regulator valve ody;

Figure 15 is a view, partly in section and partly varied to suit thediife'rent well conditions encountered. It is customary to sometimesperforate the casing to; admit the wellfluid from the formation closedofi by said casing, aswell as to use liners and elongated screens. Anyof these devices may be employedin connection with the invention, aswell as a suitable packer or seal-oil. device 29, if desired ornecessary for a particular installation.

In the tubing string 24 (Figure 2), one or more elongated flow valvebodies or nipples 33 may be mounted at any desired elevation. The numberand the spacing of the valves used depends on the conditions andcircumstances surround-' ing each well, as well as the use orrequirement of any other flow equipment. It is customary to connectthese valves in said tubing 24 at different elevations, using theuppermost valve or valves as a kick-off valve; however, it is within thescope of the invention to use a single valve as both a kick-off valveand a flow o'r lifting fluid inlet valve.

The elongated, cylindrical valve body "is provided on its upper end witha-- co-axial, reduced, externally screw-threaded pin 3| and with a 7similar pin 32 depending from its lower end. A

cylindrical collar 33 is formed with an internally screw-threaded box 34on its lower end for engaging and receiving the threaded pin 3| and asimilar box 35 is formed on its upper end for receiving the externallyscrew-threaded pin 33 of said tubing 24. A similar collar 31, having aninternally screw-threaded box 33 on its upper end, engages the threadedpin 32 on the lowerend of said valve body 30. Thiscollar 31 also has aninternally screw-threaded box --39 on its lower end for receiving theexternally screwthreaded pin 40 on the upper end of a section of tubing24. It will be seen in Figures 2, 5, 6

and 7, that by means of the collars." and 31 said flow valves 30 may beconnected into said I tubing string 24 wherever desired, either in placein elevation, showing the upper portion of a well illustrating amodified actuating mechanism for this form of the invention;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal, sectional view of a fluid inlet valveoperated by this form of the invention, showing the valve closed andreleased and in position for automatic operation; and

Figure 17 is a similar view, showing the valve closed and fastenedagainst automatic actuation.

In the drawings, the numeral 20 designates the usual well casing whichmay be placed in the well bore in any suitable manner and in accordancewith the conditions present at the particular well, which it is desiredto automatically flow. A suitable casing head 2| is mounted on the upperend of the casing 20 in accordance with the practice now in common use,and this head is provided with a pressure fluid inlet pipe 22 in which acut-ofl valve 23 is connected. A single string of well tubing 24 issuspended or hung in the casing .head 2| in any suitable manner andextends above said head, so that a 'T 25 may be connected therein. Awell fluid discharge pipe 26 leads from the T and has a cutoff valve 21connected therein.

In Figure 2, I have shown the tubing string of the usual connectingcollars of said tubing string, or if desired, any of the tubing joints'or sections may be cut and threaded for receiving the boxes 35 and 39 ofthe collars 33 and 31 respectively. A suitable sealing ring 4| is placedon each pin 3| and 32 for receiving the abutting edge of the collars 33and 31. These rings are preferably of a soft metal, such as brass,

but any material suitable for the purpose may be used.

The body 30 has an axial bore 42 extending therethrough, which issmaller in diameter than the bore of said tubing string, and the pins 3|and 32 are beveled at 43 at each end of the bore 42, so as to guidetools and other appliances into said bore. In order to provide ampleflow space through said valve bodies 30. a pair of elongated ducts 44are provided longitudinally of the body on each side of the bore 42thereof, as is best shown in Figures 5 to 12 inclusive. One side of thebody is cut out to form a vertical, external recess 45 and a portion ofthis recess is connected to'said bore 42 by an elongated channel 46. Itwill also be noticed that the ducts 44 and the channel 46 are placedsubstantially equidistantly around said bore 42, although the exactlocation thereof is not material to the proper operation of said tion ofthe channel.46.

An upright valve casing or housing .41 is mounted in this recess 45, soas to engage snugly between the shoulders 48 formed at the lower andupper ends of said recess. This valve housing 41 may be secured in therecess in any suitable manner, so that it may be removed, if necessary.It is common practice to bolt such structures, and the valve housing maybe bolted to the valve body 30 by bolts 49 and these bolts are removedwhen it is desired to disconnect said housing 41. This housing, as shownin Figures 8, 9, 10, 11 and '12, may be given a nearly semicircularshapeand has an inlet chamber 56 at its lower end provided with radialperforations whereby the well fluid or-the lifting fluid from said wellcasing 20 may freely enter said chamher. The top of this chamber isformed by a transverse partition 52- extending' across said valvehousing, above which partition overhangs an ear 53 formed integrallywith said valve housing 41.

The lower end of said houing is closed and provided with ascrew-threaded and counterbored opening 54 for receiving a plug 55,having an axial bore 56 extending therethrough. The partition 52 isprovided with a vertical port 51 extending therethrough and the'lowerend thereof is suitably beveled to form a ground valve seat 58 to co-actwith a valve head or member 55 mounted on' the lower portion or a valvestem 60. The lower end of said valve stem, below the valve head 59,telescopes within the bore 55 of said plug 55. The upper portion of saidstem extends up through the port 51 and into the ear 53, which forms aguide therefor.

A second ear 6i overhangs the first ear .53 and is spaced therefrom toserve also as a guide for said stem.

The upper end of said valve stem is reduced to form a pilot pin 62 thattelescopes into a socket 63 in a cap nut 64, which is screwed into theupper end of said valve housing 41. At the lower end of the pilot pin62, the valve stem 50 isformed with a shoulder 65' for receiving acollar 66, which supports the lower end of a coiled spring 61; the upperend of this spring-engages the underside of the nut 54. This spring is arelatively light one and is under a moderate comvalve, with the excep-5, 6, '1, 8 and 9. The lower end of the lever 11 ispivoted on a pin 18journaled in a slot 19 formed in the wall of the housing 41. The upperend of the lever 11 has a small roller 35 journaled therein. When thebore 42 of the valve body 30 is unobstructed, as imFigures 7,

l1 and 12, the roller 80 on the lever 11 is free to' in Figures 5, 6 and8.

tubing, is that there is no positive way of con-- I trolling the openingand closing of said valve pression. Just below the shoulder 65, thevalve stem is formed with screw-threads 58 for receiving a stop nut orcollar 69. This collar is provided with a set screw 10 (Figures 5, 6, 7and 10) which engages in a key groove 1i in the valve stem 60, wherebysaid collar is held against rotation.

A sleeve 12, slidably mounted on the valve stem 60, has its upper endbearing against the collar 69. The lower end of the sleeve 12 isprovided with a reduced, depending skirt 13 and it will be noticed inFigures 5, 5 and '1, that this sleeve 12 slides within the ear 6i andthat the lower portion of this skirt i3 slides within said ear 53. Acoiled spring 1 3 is confined between the lower edge of the sleeve 12and the upper side of said ear 53 around said skirt 13. This spring iscon- 1 siderably heavier than the spring 61 and is un- The sleeve 12 isprovided with diametrically opposite slots 15 which receive the yoke 16of a bell crank lever 11, as is best shown in Figures and particularlythe closing of the same. It will be obvious that when the valve isclosed (Figure 7) and the'sleeve 12 is elevated so as to engage thecollar 66, the spring 14 will not be under as great a compression as itwill be when the lever 11 is swung outwardly and said sleeve moveddownwardly from said collar, as shown in Figures 5 and 6. When. thelever 11 is in the position shown in Figure '1, the valve is fastened orheld against'operation; whereas, when the lever is swung outwardly andthe sleeve moved downwardly, as shown in Figure 5, the valve is releasedfor automatic or pressure differential operation.

In order to fasten and release the valve, 2. suitable operating devicemust be provided for the lever 11. I have illustrated the actuating bar8| which has a snug, sliding fit in the bore 42 of the valve body 35. vare beveled at 82, so that it will freely enter the valve body, tofacilitate its passage up and down through the tubing, and so that saidroller may ride upon the bar 8 I This bar is suspended by a wire line orother flexible connection 83 and has hanging from, its lower end a rod64, which supports a weight bar 85, and this weight bar co-acts with thebar 8| in holding the wire line taut, as well as assuring a properlowering of said bar. The upper and lower ends of the weight bar 85 arebeveled at 86 for the same purposes and reasons as the bar 8i. Anysuitable means may be employed to actuate the wire line 83 to raise andlower the operating bar 3|. When said bar is raised to the positionshown in Figure '7, the lever 11 will be freed and permitted to swingthrough the channel 45 into the bore 42. In this position the valve willbe fastened against operation. I

When the operating bar 8i is lowered, the lower tapered face 82 engagesthe roller 60 and as the -wi ll be opened quickly when a. pressuredlflerential is built up by the hydrostatic head of oil.

or well fluid standing in the tubing 24, combined with the expansiveforce of the upper The ends of this bar 4 partition 52.-

spring 61, and when this pressure becomes suflicient to overcome theforce of the lifting fluidv or chamber 81 is cut in the wall of the bore42 and that the lower edge of this recess is substantially even or on aline with the lower edge of the channel 46 and the upper surface of theThis recess 81 is provided so that the fluid flowing through the port 51may readily flow around the weight bar 85 or operating bar M and intothe ducts 44, whereby an even distribution of lifting fluid around saidbar is obtained.

In the preferred form of operation, the casing 20, above the well fluidlevel standing therein, is filled with a lifting fluid which isconstantly maintained under a head pressure sufficient, when admitted tothe tubing, to elevate the body of well fluid which is picked up therebyand carried to the top of the tubing. It is pointed out, that by thisarrangement, the easing and the inlet chamber or chambers 50 of thevalve housing 4'! is at all times maintained full of lifting fluid underthe aforesaid pressure; and thus, when the valve head 59 is opened, thelifting fluid will be admitted immediately in such volume and under suchpressure, as to pick up the well fluid standing above the valve in thetubing and carry it to the top thereof at a sufficient velocity toprevent slippage, or prevent the lifting fluid from channelling throughthe well fluid. In order to permit the lifting fluid to freely enter theducts 44 of the valve 30, the channel or manifold 81 will lead theadmitted fluid from said housing 41 to said ducts. Of course, if thewell fluid level has not been lowered in the casing to the valve beingopened, the well fluid will flow from said casing through said chamber50, into said. bore 42 of said opened valve 30, until the lifting fluidreaches this valve. None of the valves can be opened until the operatingbar 8! or weight bar 85 swings the roller 80 outward and a suflicientcolumn of well fluid is in the tubing to exert a greater weight orpressure differential over the pressure of the lifting fluid.

For raising and lowering the wire line 83, the control mechanism shownon the surface of my co-pending application, Serial No. 365,024, filedNovember 9, 1940, may be used, or the control mechanism I have shown inFigures 1 and 4 may be used, or any other mechanism desired. The controlmechanism I have shown in these figures is enclosed in a water-proof,dust-tight housing 88 having a suitable cover or door 89 mountedthereon, which housing is mounted on an upright stand or pipe 90 forsupporting the.

same. A pipe 9| having a suitable manually operated gate valve 92therein leads from a T 93 in said lifting fluid supply line 22 to athreaded box 95 on the underside of a valve body 94 in said housing.This valve body 94 comprises the lower portion of a supply or regulatorvalve A and has a short pipe 96 extending from a threaded, box 91therein leading across the bottom of the housing to a threaded box 98 ofthe valve body 99, which comprises the lower portion of a feed or motorvalve B. This valve B is located approximately at the center of thebottom of the housing 88. A continuation I 'ing said nuts I21 and of thepipe 96 extends from a threaded box IOI, preferably diametricallyopposite the box 98, across the bottom of said housing to a threaded boxI02 of a valve body I03, which is the lower portion of a release valveC. The valves A, B and C are of the spring-loaded, diaphragm type andvery similar in operation and construction to the valves shown in myfluid lift Patent .No.

2,171,478, and above mentioned applications.

The valve body 94 of the regulator valve A is provided with an internaltransverse partition I04 having a threaded port or bore I05 extendingtherethrough into which is threaded a removable metering or valve seatbushing- I06. The third threaded box or inlet port I01 of said valvebody is suitably closed by a plug I08. The upper portion of said valvebody is formed with an externally screw-threaded, upstanding boss I09for receiving an internally screw-threaded cap II0. This cap IIO clampsa suitable stuffing box assembly III containing the usual packing H2 andfollower block H3 with a tightening or retaining cap I I4 thereon.

The locking cap I I0 has a pair of upright arms I I5, preferablydiametrically opposite each other,

which are connected at their upper ends to a piston chamber H6 and thischamber II6 has a radially extending, external flange II'I formed on itsupper edge. A concavo-convex annular cap or crown I I8 is mounted on thepiston chamber and this cap is provided with an outwardly directedflange II9, similar to the flange In, on its perimeter. These flangesIII and- H9 are clamped to'getherby a plurality of bolts I20 and nuts IZI for gripping and clamping a diaphragm disk I22 therebetween. It ispointed out that a diaphragm actuating chamber I23 is formed above saiddiaphragm within said cap I I8. This diaphragm is provided with an axialopening ,so that the upper end of a piston rod or valve stem I24 mayextend therethrough, in order that said diaphragm and a flat circularpiston I25 mounted therebeneath on said valve stem may be securelyconnected together by a nut I26 engaging the threaded upper end of saidvalve stem on the upper side of said diaphragm I22; whereby saiddiaphragm, said piston I25, and said valve stem I 24 are clampedtogether and moved as a unitary structure.

It will be noticed in Figures 4 and 13, that a pair of the bolts I20,preferably diametrically opposite each other, are elongated so that,intermediate the ends thereof, an adjusting nut I21 may be mountedthereon. These nuts I21 adjustably support an elongated web member I28whereby, upon the rotation of said nutVI Z'I, this web member may beraised or lowered as desired. A locking nut I29 is threaded on each boltI20 above the web member .I28 in order to clamp and lock said web memberI28 in its adjusted position. A suitable coiled spring I30 is interposedbetween and bears against the upper surface of said web member face ofsaid piston I25, so that an upward tension' or thrust is placed orexerted upon said piston, said valve stem I24 and said diaphragm I22.Thus, it will be apparent that by adjust- I29,- this tension isregulated and may be increased or decreased as is needed.

The lower end of said valve stem I24 depends or extends down within thevalve body 94 to I28 and the lower sur-' 2,245,010 extending entirelythrough said stem, so that fluid may flow through said valve stem fromone end to the other. The lower portion of said bore I3I is counterboredat I32, in order to provide anentrance or admission chamber. A small,an-

' nular dart or foot piece I33 is positioned at the lower end of saidvalve stem within said counterbore I32 and has a conical valve tip orface I34 on its lower end and an upstanding, short, cylinpin abuts thelower end of a small coiled spring I33, that exerts a slight tensiondownwardly on ily flow into or outv of said bore I3I of said valve stemI24. 1

The replaceable valve seat bushing I06 has an axial bore I33 extendingtherethrough, the upper end of which is formed with a ground taperedseat to receive the conical valve tip I34, so as to close saidpassageway through said bushing. Attention is called to the fact thatwhen pressure fluid enters said valve body 34 from said pipe 3|, throughsaid vertical passageway I33, said dart normally being in its lowerorseated position after a reduced pressure has been built up in said pipe36 and valve body 34 above'the partition I04, said pressure fluid willengage and lift said dart I33 against the tension of said spring I36, aswell as liit said valve stem I24 to open said regulator valve A to admitpressure 'fluid therethrough. This pressure fluid admitted through saidpassageway I36 will flow into the valve body 34 above the partition I04,as well as into said counterbore I32, both throughsald hole I31 andaround said pin I35 of said dart. Then said pressure fluid will flowthrough said bore chamber I11 and said cap I43 has a pipe I50 solid andhas an enlarged foot piece orisupset toform a valve member I42 on itslower end and, as will be seen in Figure 4, this pin extends through areplaceable seat bushing I43 threaded I into the partition I33. Thisbushing I43 is provided with an axial bore I44, on the lower end ofwhich is formed a ground, tapered seat to coact with the valve face I45to open and close the passageway I44,- which permits or terminates theflow of fluid from the pipe 36 to the pipe I00 through said valve body33. The upper end of this stem I4I has a piston I46 fastened thereon andthis piston and the valve stem are clamped to a diaphragm disk' I41 by anut, I48, the same as the regulator valve -A.

The diaphragm cap I430! the motor valve B, which is similar to thediaphragm cap I18 of the regulator valve A, forms a diaphragm actuatingconnected therein which extends to a T I5I. The lower end or leg of thisT I5I is connected into the diaphragm cap" I52, which is similar to thediaphragm caps H8 and I43, on the upper end of the release valve C and adiaphragm actuating chamber I16 is formed therein above a diaphragm diskI54. The valve stem I53 01' the release valve 0 is also solid and is'connected to the diaphragm I54, the same as the valves A and B. Thelower end of this valve stem I53 is beveled or tapered to form a valve,tip or face I55.- The valve body I03'is provided with a transverse,partition I56 which has an internally screw threaded port I51 extendingtherethrough for I3I of said valve stem I24 and out the upper end 4thereof, on top of the diaphragm I22 into said diaphragm actuatingchamber I23 within the cap H3. In accordance with the setting oi! thespring I30, this pressure fluid flowing through the passageway I33 willbe reduced to whatever pressure it is desired to maintain in the controlmechanism. This pressure may be reduced or increased as desired byadjusting the nuts I23. This pressure fluid also will flow through thepipe 36 into the valve body 33 below a transverse partition I33extending thereacross, similar to the partition I04.

A gauge I40 is screwed into the upper side of said cap H8 and extendsthrough said cap, so

that the reduced pressure within said chamber I23 may be registered onsaid gauge I40 and this pressure will be the same as that within thebore I3l, .the pipe 36 and in the lower portion of the valve body 33beneath the partition I33. The valve body 33 of the motor valve B andthe valve body I03 of the release valve C are similar to the valve body34 of the regulator valve A and will receiving a replaceable seatbushing I58. This bushing has an axial bore or passageway I53, the

upper end of which is formed with a ground seat for co-acting with thevalve face I55 to open and close the passageway I53.

The valve body 33 has an internally screwthreaded' box I60 on its lowerend in which a drain-or clean-out plug I6I is threaded. ,The valve bodyI03 has a similar internally screwthreaded box I62 for receiving thethreaded pin of a pipe I63 and this valve body also has, an internallyscrew-threaded box I64, diametrically opposite the box I02, forreceiving a pet cock I65 which leads or is vented to the atmosphere.

This pipe I63 leads out of the housing 88 to the lower end of anactuating cylinder I66,, which has a reciprocating piston I61 slidablymounted therein. This piston may be suitably suspended from the usualstub derrick I68, or the usual gin pole" (not shown), or any othersupport desired. The piston I61 has a piston rod I63 depending therefromand eXt d in g out of the lower end of the cylinder I66 and on the lowerend of this piston rod I63 is mounted a suitable wire line clamp I10.This cylinder I66, piston I61, piston rod I63 and wire'line clamp I10are similar to those shown in some of my other Patents Nos. 2,171,478;2,171,312; and 2,202,462; and may be of any desired structure. The clampI10 is fastened to the wire line 83 so that when the piston I61 isreciprocated' in the cylinder, the wire line 83 will be moved therewith,whereby the actuating bar 8| and weight bar 85 will be moved in saidtubing string 24 accordingly. In Figure 1, it will be seen that theslack endof said wire line 83 may extend up over the sheaves of a crownblock "I on the upper end of the derrick I68, and then down to v asuitable drum or hoist (not shown), as is the usual practice.- It ispreferred that the cylinder In operation, the pressure fluid from thefield the port I38 into the valve body above the partition I04, through,the pipe 96, into valve bods 99 beneath the partition I39, through thebore I 3| of the piston rod I24, into said diaphragm actuating chamberI23 on top of said diaphragm I22; all of which serves as a pressurefluid reservoir for supplying pressure fluid at a reduced pressure. Whenthe valve face I45 of the motor valve B is opened, pressure fluid willbe drawn from the valve body 99 beneath the partition I39, thepipe 96,the valve body 94 above the partition I04, the bore I3I ofthe valve stemI24 and the diaphragm actuating cham'ber I23.- This reduction ofpressure fluid in the reservoir will permit the spring I30 to lift thevalve stem I24 and open the port I38 for replenishing the reservoir. Thewell casing 20 extends down into the well forming an annulus or storagechamber for a pressure lifting fluid, as is the usual practice, and astring of tubing 24 is mounted within said casing (Figures 1 and 2).This string of tubing contains a plurality of flow valves 30 althoughthere are various types of valves that may be used in conjunction withone of my valves shown and it is possible to use any of the flowvalvesillustrated in any of my patents Nos. Re. 21,199; 2,164,469; 2,171,480;2,171,812; 2,202,462; and 2,204,817, or other sub-well equipment. Iprefer for the purpose of illustration to show three of the flow valves,described in this application, mounted in said tubing string 24 and thespacing of these valves is determined in accordance with the conditionsand circumstances surrounding a particular installation.

, Therefore, the number of valves and 'other types of flow valves orequipment used therewith is determined by the installation being made.

The actuating bar 8| and weight bar 85, on the lower 'end of the wireline 83 are lowered into said tubing and the movement of this wire line.at this time, is controlled by a hoist, or other suitable mechanism (notshown). The actuating bar is lowered into the uppermost flow valve 30,or whichever one it is desired to operate. This uppermost valve isusually set below the standing level of the well fluid in the tubing andcasing and when said bar is suspended in said valve (Figure the roller80 is swung outwardly and the yoke 16 downwardly, which slides thesleeve 12 downwardly on the valve stem 60. If the column of fluid withinthe tubing is sufliciently high or long to exert a predetermined backpressure on the valve head 59, this back pressure, together with thetension of said spring 61, will force said valve stem 60 and valve head59 downwardly and this admits pressure lifting fluid from the casing 20through the perforations 5|, into the chamber 50,

I through the port 51, into the housing 41, through the channel 46 andrecess 81 and into the valve body 3 0. Of course, with the bar 8| in thebore 42 of said valve body, the lifting fluid will flow through thechannel 46, the recess 81 and into the ducts 44, as well as the bore 42,and will lift this cut-oil portion of the column of well fluid upwardlyand out of said tubing 24 and through the flow line 26. V

When this upwardly flowing column of well fluid exerts a suflicientpressure in the pipe 26, this pressure will be transmitted through apipe I14 that is connected at one end to the flow line 26 and extends tothe upper or remaining leg of the T I5I, which is connected to thediaphragm cap I52 of said release valve C. This exerted pressure will betransmitted from the pipe I14,

through the T I5I, into the diaphragm actuating chamber I16 of thediaphragm cap I52, onto the diaphragm I54 of said release valve 0- andthrough the pipe I50 into the diaphragm actuating chamber I11 of saiddiaphragm cap I49, on top of said diaphragm I41 of said motor valve B.It will be noticed in Figure 4, that the spring I15 of said valve C isset to exert less tension than the spring I13 of the valve B. Also, thevalve head I42 has to open against a cer tain pressure while the valveface I55 has to close against only the atmosphere pressure, so that evenif the tensions of the springs I13 and I15 should be substantially thesame, the valve 0 would still close before the valve B would openTherefore, the pressure buliding up in the diaphragm actuating chamibersI16 and I11 will move the valve stem I53 downwardly before the valvestem MI is moved downwardly. This brings the valve face I55 intoengagement with the seat of said bore I59 of the removable bushing I 58,closing off the upper portion of the valve body I03, so that when thepressure in the diaphragm chamber I11 increases sufflciently to move thevalve stem I4I against the tension of the spring I13 and the pressure insaid valve body 99 beneath the partition I39, the valve face I45 ismoved away been already seated and closed so that the pressure fluidadmitted from the pipe 96 by the ,valve member I45 will flow through thepipe I00 and into the pipe I63, where it is led to the cylinder I66beneath the piston I61.

This pressure fluid will lift this piston and the piston rod I69, aswell as the wire line 83, which moves the actuating bar 8| out of saidbore 42, or at least, to its position shown in Figure 7. This willrelease the roller and permit the spring 14 to lift said sleeve 12 andsaid yoke 16 and to swing said lever 11 and said roller 80 inwardly. Thespring 14 will move said sleeve 12, said stop collar 69, said valve stem60 and said valve head 59 upwardly, whereby said valve head 59 is closedagainst its seat 58 and the admission of lifting fluid to said tubing isterminated.

The closing of the valve head 59 terminates further admission of liftingfluid and the pressure within said tubing string 24 and flow line 26will be reduced. Naturally, the pressure in said pipe I14, saiddiaphragmactuating chambers I16 and I11, said pipe I50, said T I5I and saiddiaphragm caps I49 and I52 will be reduced also. When this occurs, thevalve member I45 will close and engage its seat in the motor valve Bfirst, which terminates the addi tional admission of pressure fluid fromthe pipe 96. As this pressure continues to be reduced, the valve stemI53 will rise and this opens the passageway I59 to permit the pressurefluid within the valve body I03, the pipe I00, the pipe I63 and thecylinder I66 beneath the piston I61 to fiowthrough said passageway I59of said bushing I58 and said valve body I03, above said par-I downwardlyure The well may be operated from this particular valve, or theactuating bar may be dropped to a lower valve, where the above operationis again carried out.

It will be seen that a. semi-automatic valve is thus had and a controlunit therefor, which will admit lifting fluid only when there is asuflicient column of well fluid to be lifted and that the admission oflifting fluid is terminated as soon as the lifted charge or slug hassuflicient lifting fluid therebeneath to carry it through the flow line26 to a storage tank, or any other suitable disposal (not shown).

It is pointed out that the spring 14 is much stronger than the spring61, so that whenever the bar releases the roller 80, said spring 14 willa lift the sleeve 12, swinging the lever 11 and said roller inwardly.The upperend of said sleeve will already be inengagenuent with theunderside of said stop collar 69 (when said valve head 59 is opened,said stop collar will drop down on said sleeve) and the valve stem 60will be lifted and the valve head 59 seated on its seat 58 to close theport 51 and shut off the admission ofadditional lifting fluid from saidcasing 20 into said tubing 2|.

Attention is called to the fact that the 81 is set for a predeterminedcompression in order that a definite, known pressure differential may behad between the column of well fluid in the tubing and the lifting fluidin the casing. Therefore, the weight or pressure of the column of wellfluid plus the compression of the spring 61 is the operating pressure toopen the valve 30, when said bar is in said valve to unlock or releasethe same for actuation. when the pressure of the column of well fluidplus the compression of said spring 81 becomes greater than the pressureof the lifting fluid in the casing, the valve head 59 will be moveddownwardly away from its seat 58 to open the port 51, whereby liftingfluid will be admitted to expell said column of well fluid. Thus, byusing different springs 61 of different compressions, variousdifferentials or lengths of columns of well fluid may be had and variousadjustments may thus be obtained in accordance with the well conditionsencountered. h

A further adjustment or control of the production from the well may beobtained by varrying the pressure of the lifting fluid in the casing.The spring 61 when installed, is known to have a predeterminedcompression to set up a certain pressure differential and by, increasingor decreasing the pressure of the lifting fluid, a number of results maybe had. These are: first, the quantity or length of the column of wellfluid may be controlled so that a greater or smaller amount of wellfluid will accumulate before the'valve head 59 is opened; second, thevelocity or speed of flow up the tubing of the cut oil column or slug ofwell fluid may be regulated; third, the intervals at which the slugs ofwell fluid are lifted may be spaced farther apart or closer together;and fourth, where wells produce fluid slowly or not very high in thetubing, termed low fluid level wells, this low fluid level or shortcolumn of well fluid may be handled or lifted readily and moreeconomically by reducing the lifting fluid pressure in the casing. Thesefour results usually will handle any producing or well conditionpresented, either with or without changing the compression of the spring61. However, in some instances the adjustment of said spring compressionmaybe requiredin' addition to varying the lifting fluid pressure in thecasing.

The surface control mechanism may also be regulated to handle differentflow conditions presented in various installations. The spring I13 ofthe motor valve 13 is usually set with a greater compression than thespring I15 of the release valve C, although in some instances thecompressions of the springs I13 and I15 may be substantially the sameand due to the difference in area between the valve head I42 and valveface 555, the motor valve B still will require a greater pressure in thediaphragm actuating chamber I11 to open said valve than the releasevalve C will require in the diaphragm actuating chamber I18. However,the compressions of these springs may be regulated to handle variousconditions, as may be required, or to obtain the most economicaloperation. The varying ,or changing of the compressions of said springsI13 and H5 will control the closing of said release valve C and theopening of said motor valve B, as well as the closing of said valve Band the opening of said valve C.

The lengths of the slugs or column of well fluids, that is a long or ashort slug, as well as a light or a heavy slug, would require difierentsettings of said springs I13 and I15. Further, thecompressions of saidsprings depend on the weight of a slug in accordance with theconstituents thereof, as oil is lighter than fresh water. and has .agreater cohesion, while salt water is heavier than fresh water anditscohesion is less. The length of a flow line from the well to a storagetank also determinesthe setting of the springs I13 and I15, because along flow line would require a higher opening or operating pressure inthe diaphragm actuating chamber I11 of the motor valve B and a lowerpressure in the diaphragm actuating chamber I16 of said release valve C,than would a short flow line. The reason being that for a long flowline, more lifting fluid would have to be admitted and the compressionof the spring I13 of the motor valve B would have to be increased tohold the fluid inlet valve 50 in the tubing string open for a longerperiod of time. Also, the compression of the spring I15 of said releasevalve C would have to be decreased to prevent the releasing or unlockingof said inlet valve 30 for automatic operation, before the pressure inthe tubing has bled down or been reduced to a point or degree that thispressure in the tubing, together with the compression of the spring 81,would not be sufficient to open the valve head 59 whensaid bar BI isdropped back into the bore 42 of said valve body 30 to unlock or releasesaid valve. A short flow line would require a shorter period ofadmittance of lifting fluid and less compression of the spring I13 ofsaid motor valve 13 and a greater compression may thus be placed on thespring I15 of said release valve C to release said inlet valve 30 forautomatic operation earlier. Further, the spring I13 of said motorvalveB may have about the usual setting to produce substantiallya'normal compression, while the spring I15 of said release valve C mayhave a much greater setting to unlock the fluid inlet valve 30 early. orvery little compression on said spring I15 to unlock said inlet valve 30when the pressure in the tubing is only a few pounds.

In Figures 13, 15, 16 and 17, I have shown a .same numbers have beencarried over.

. I00, into the valve body and their functions altered. These valvesoperate in the same manner as that shown in Figure 4, and the purposefor the transfer of these two valves is that the usual type of weightbar, or only the weight bar 85 shown in Figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, may beused without the actuating bar 8|. These valves operate in the sameorder and ill e valve C is still open in its normal positionand is thefirst to close and the valve B is normally closed and is opened aftersaid valve C has closed, and is closed upon the reduction of thepressure in said diaphragm actuating chambers I16 and I11, before thevalve C is opened.

It will be seen in Figure 13, which is the normal position of thesevalves, that the pressure fluid may flow from the pipes 9| and 96 intothe pipes I and I63 to hold the piston I61 in the upper end of thecylinder I66 (Figure 15). This will hold the upper end of the weight bar85 in the valve body 30, as is shown in Figures 15 and 16, which in thismodified form becomes an actuating bar as well as a weight bar. 'In thisposition, of course the roller 80 and the lever 11 are swung outwardly,and the yoke 16 and the sleeve 12 are slid downwardly, so as to unlockor release the valve head '59, so that when a suflicient column of wellfluid is built up above the valve 30 to exert a weight or back pressureon said valve. head 59., which together with the compression of thespring 61 will open said valve head to admit lifting fluid through theperforations and chamber 50 into said valve body 30 to cut oil and liftthe well fluid thereabove, the same as in the other form of thisinvention.

When a suflicient back pressure is exerted through the pipes I14 and,I50, the valve C is closed first, cutting offthe admission of pressurefluid from the pipe 96. Then the valve B is opened to permit thispressure fluid trapped in the pipes I00 and I63 and in the cylinder I66to be vented to the atmosphere through the pet cock I65, which lowersthe piston I61, the wire line 83 and the weight bar 85 on the lowerendthereof. a

This lowering will permit the weight bar 185 to drop down out of thebore 42 of the valve body 30, as shown in Figure 17. As the bar islowered out of the inlet valve 30, the roller 80 and the lever 11 willswing inwardly and the yoke 16 and the sleeve 12 will moveupwardly, dueto the compression of said spring '14, whereby the valve head 59 will beclosed and further admission of lifting fluid will be terminated. As thepressure is reducedin said tubing 24, said flow line 26, said pipes I14and I50, said T I5I and said diaphragm actuating chambers I16 and I11,the valve member I45 of said valve B will be closed in accordance withthe setting of the spring I13. Then, depending on the setting of thespring I15, the valve face I of said valve C will be opened, wherebypressure fluid may now flow from the pipe 96, into the valve body I03,through the pipe below the partition I39, through the pipe I63 and intosaid cylinder I66 beneath the piston I61. This pressure fluid will againlift said piston I61 to the upper end of said cylinder I66, as shown inFigure 15, and this will pull the weighttbar 85 up into the valve body30, as shown in Figure 16.

- The reason for this arrangement is that a one piece actuating andweight bar may be used, such as is common teaching in a number of mypatents, instead of having a divided bar, the upper bar of which servesas an actuating bar. The same purposes, results and functions areobtained with this form of the invention and it is merely a modifiedoperation to handle certainwell conditions, or installations whichalready may be made, or with the equipment on hand. This form of theinvention may be adjusted or regulated the same as the other form.

There are various other changes, alterations and modifications thatmaybe made in the size, shape and arrangement of the hereindescribedelements, within the scope of the invention and the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, thecombination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubing foradmitting well and lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking said valve against operation or unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing string andthe lifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve isunlocked, actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating saidsurface operated means, a flow surface control means connected to theflow con duit beyond the first valve means for venting said flow conduitwhen said first valve means has terminated the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit, and means whereby both of said valves are op erated by thepressure of the flowing fluid in said tubing. J

2. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, thecombination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubing foradmitting well and lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking 'said valve against operation or'unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing string andthe lifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve isunlocked, actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating saidsurface operated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating meansfor supplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,valve means connected in the conduit for controlling the flow throughthe conduit, valve means connected to the flow conduit in addition tothe first valve means for venting said flow conduit when said firstvalve means has terminated the flow of fluid through said conduit, andmeans connected to said flow conduit ahead of said first valve means forreducing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the conduittherefrom, and means whereby said first and second valve means areactuated by the pressure of the flowing fluid in said tubing.

3. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluidv and a well tubing string is mounted therein,the combination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubingfor admitting well and lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing toflow well fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surfaceof the well for locking said valve against operation or unlocking saidvalve where it may be operated, said. valve having elements responsiveto pressure differentials between the well fluid-in the tubing stringand the lifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve isunlocked, actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating saidsurface operated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating meansfor supplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,valve means connected in the conduit for controlling the flow throughthe conduit, valve means connected to the flow conduit in addition tothe first valve means for venting said flow conduit when said firstvalve means has terminated the flow of fluid through said conduit, andmeans connected to said flow conduit ahead of said first valve means forreducing the pressure of the fluid flowing through the conduittherefrom, and means whereby said first and second valve means areactuated by the pressure of the flowing fluid in said tubing, 'saidflrst and second valve means being adapted to be regulated so that theiractuation by the flowing well fluid may be controlled.

4. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, the

combination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubing foradmitting well and liftin fluid from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking said valve against operation or unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing string andthe lifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve isunlocked, actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating saidsurface operated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating meansfor supplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,valve Kmeans connected in the conduit for controlling the flow throughthe conduit, and valve means connected to the'flow conduit. in additionto the first valve means for venting said flow conduit when said flrstvalve means has terminated the flow of fluid through said conduit, andmeans whereby said first and second valve means may be regulated wherebytheir actuation by a fluid auxiliary to the fluid flowing through theconduit may be controlled to handle various well conditions encountered.

5. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a well casing is providedwith a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein andan inlet valve is connected to the tubing for admitting fluid into saidtubing and an actuator for operating the inlet valve including,actuating means for controlling the operation of the actuator to operatethe inlet valve to control flow of fluid in the tubing, a fluid conduitconnected to the actuating means, a feed controlling valve connectedtosaid conduit for controlling the flow.

of fluid through said conduit, and a release valve connected to saidconduit for venting the conduit or permitting the fluid to flow to theactuating means, and means whereby said feed and the flowing fluids inthe well tubing.

6. A controlunit for flowing fluids wherein a well casing isprovidedwith a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is'mountedtherein and an inlet valve is connected to the tubing for admittingfluid into said tubing and an actuator for operating the inlet valveincluding, actuating means for controlling the operation of the actuatorto operate the inlet valve to control flow of fluid in the tubing, afluid conduit connected to the actuating means, a fluid supplyvalve'connected to said conduit for controlling flow of fluid to saidconduit, a feed valve connected to said conduit for controlling the flowof fluid through said conduit, and a release valve connected to saidconduit for venting the conduit or permitting the fluid to flow to saidactuating means, and means whereby said feed and release valves areactuated by the pressure of the flowing fluids in the well tubing.

'7. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a well casing is providedwith a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein andan inlet valve is connected to the tubing for admitting fluid into saidtubing and an actuator for operating the inlet valve including,actuating means for controlling the operation of the actuator to operatethe inlet valve to control flow of fluid in the tubing, a fluid conduitconnected to the actuating means, means for con- ,trolling the flow offluid to the conduit at a reduced pressure, a feed valveconnected'to'said conduit for controlling the flow of fluid through saidconduit, and a release valve connected to. said conduit for venting theconduit or permitting .the fluid to flow to said actuating means, andmeans whereby said feed and release valves are actuated by the pressureof the flowing -fluids in the well tubing.

8. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a fluid flow conductor ispositioned in a well and an inlet valve is connected to the conductorfor admitting fluid into said conductor and an actuator for operatingthe inlet valve including, a fluid feed conduit having an inlet and anoutlet leading to actuating means, means for controlling the flow offluid from the inlet to the conduit at a reduced pressure, a feed valveconnected to said conduit for controlling the flow through said conduit,a vent connected to said conduit between the feed valve and the conduitoutlet, and a release valve connected to said conduit for controllingthe flow of fluid in said conduit to said outlet to said actuating meansor to said vent for bleeding said actuating means, agi means wherebysaid feed valve and said release valve are actuated by the pressure ofthe flowing fluids in the 'flow conductor.

9. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein, thecombination .of, a lifting fluid inletv valve connected 4 to the tubingfor admitting fluid from the casactuating means on the surface of thewell for actuating said surface controlled means, av flow conduit havingan inlet and an outlet extending to said actuating means for supplying apressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating meansf'valve meansfo'rcontrolling the flow of pressure fluid from the inlet .to the conduit ata reduced pressure,- a feed valve connected to said conduit forcontrolling the flow through said conduitja vent connected to saidconduit between the feedvalve and the conduit outlet, and acontrol'yalveconnected to said conduit for controllingthe 'flowo'f'fluid in said conduit to said outlet to; said actuating means or tosaid vent for bleeding 'sai'd' actuating means, and means whereby saidfeed valve and said control valve are actuated by the pressure of theflowing fluids in the tubing. e

10. The system of flowing wells which includesqa well casing forproviding a supply of lifting fluid, awell tubing in the casing'foraccumulating a quantity of well fluid and serving as a conductor for thewell fluid, one or more lifting fluid inlet valvesconnected to thetubing, means for normally fastening the valve or valves against andreleasing said valve or valves for operation by a pressure difl'erentialbetween the welljfluid and'the lifting fluid, means for providing apredetermined amount'of mechanical energy which when combined with'ahydrostatic pressure of a" predetermined quantity of well fluid causesopening of said valve, said'fastening and releasing means includingresilient means for closing said valve or valves, said valves beingconstructed so that the opening thereof may be controlled by the varyingof the pressure'of the lifting fluid in the casing, means on the surfaceof the well for controlling the operation 01 the fastening and releasingmeans, means for controlling the opening period of the'surfacecontrolling meanameans for controlling the closing period of the surfacecontrolling means, and means whereby the pressure of the elevated wellfluid is utilized to control both said opening controlling means andsaid closing controlling means, said opening and closing controllingconnected to said conduit for controlling flow of fluidto said conduit,9. feed valve connected'to said conduit forcontrolling the flow of fluidthrough said conduit, and a release valve connected to said conduit forventing the conduit or permitting the fluid to flow to said actuatingmeans, and means whereby said feed and release valves are actuated bythe pressure of the flowing fluids in the well tubing, saidfeedandrelease valves having adjusting means 'for' controlling andindependently regulating the opening and closing periods of said valves,

13. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a well casing is-providedwith a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein andan inlet valve is connected to the tubing for admitting fluid into saidtubing and an actuator for operating the inlet valve including,actuating means for controlling the operation of the actuator to operatethe inlet valve to control flow of fluid in the tubing, a fluid conduitconnected to the actuating means, meansfor controlling the flow o1 fluidto the conduit at a reduced pressure, a feed valve connected to saidconduit for con trolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, and arelease valve connected to said conduit for venting the conduit orpermitting the fluid to flow to said actuating means, and means wherebysaid feed and release valves are actuated by means having adjustingmeans for controlling and independentlyregulating the opening andclosing periods of the surface controlling means.

11'. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a well casing is providedwith a supply-of liftingfluid anda well tubing'is m'ounted'ftherei'n andan' inlet valve is'connectedto the "tubing for admitting fluid into saidtubing and an actuator for operating th'e inlet-valve including,actuat-'-" ing means for 'controlling the"operation of the the pressureof the flowing fluids in the well tubing, said feed and release valveshaving adjusting means for controlling and independently regulating theopening and closing periods of said valves.

14. A control unit for flowing fluids wherein a fluid flow conductor ispositioned in a well and an inlet valve is connected to the conductorfor admitting fluid into said conductor and an actuator for operatingthe inlet valve including, a fluid feed conduit having an'inlet and anoutlet leading to actuating-means, means for controlling the flowof'fluid from the inlet to the con-.

duit at a reduced pressure, a feed valve (:on-

nected to saidconduit for controlling the flow through said' conduit, avent connected to said" conduit between thefeed valve and the conduit 1outlet, and a release valve connected to said con duit for controllingthe flow of fluid in said con duit to said outlet to saidactuating'means or' actuator to operate the inlet valve to controlflow'of "fluid in the" tubing? a fluid conduit connected to the actuatingmeans, fed controlling valve connected to'said conduit for controllingthe'now of'flllid through said conduit; "and a release valve connectedto said conduit for venting" thecohduit or permittingth'e fluid to 'flow'to the a'ctuating' means, and means whereby 'said feed and release ing-huias in'"the wen t'ublngZ-"saidfeed and release valves-havingad'justingmeans' for" control-lihg' and 'itideperidentlyregulating theop ing 'andtmsihg periodsb'rsaldvalvesr l 12." 'A contror unit-"for"flowing fluids whrirl a well casing is provided with -'a" su'pp1y orlifting fluid and a well 'tubing -is"moiintedtherein and-"*- an' inletvalve is'connected tol-rthe' tubing for f admitting-fluidinto saidtubing and an actuator:

to the actuating means, a' fluid supply valve to said vent for bleedingsaid actuatin'gmeans, and means wherebyfsaid-feed valve and said,

release valve are actuated by the pressure of the flowing fluids in theflowconducton'said feed and release va-lves havingadjusting"means forcontrolling and independently? regulating the' opening andclosingperiods of said'valves.-" 15. "In a well flowing apparatus wherein 'a'well" j casing-is" provided with a supply of 'lifting fluid "and a welltubing is' mounted thereim-thecombination or; a-lil'tingfluldinlet=valve connected t0 the tubing I01 adlilittlil'l'g fluid from the"casing into said tubing; means controlled rromtnesur l i ace 0f the wellfor locking said valve against operation i or unlocking said valve whereit 'may be operated, said 'valve' having elements "responsivetofpres'sure differentials-between the -weu fluid In-the tubing andthe-lifting fluid ln'fi th'" casing and operablewh'eii saidya'lve isunlocked, actuating means'onthe surface 'ofthe well '-for actuating saidsurface controlled means, a flow fluid from the inlet to the conduit ata reduced vent connected to said conduit between the feed.

pressure of the flowing fluids in the tubing, said feed and releasevalves having adjusting means for controlling andindependentlyregulating the opening and closing periods of said valves.

16. The system of flowing wells which includes, a well casing forproviding a supply of lifting fluid, a well tubing in the casing foraccumulating a quantity of well fluid and serving as a conductor for thewell fluid, one or more lifting v fluid inlet valves connected to thetubing, means for normally fastening the valve or valves against andreleasing said valve or valves for operation by a pressure differentialbetween the well fluid and the lifting fluid, means for providing a.pre-- determined amount of mechanical energy which when combined with ahydrostatic pressure of a predetermined quantity of well fluid causesopening of said valve or valves, said fastening means includingresilient means for closing said valve, said valves being adapted sothat the opening thereof may be controlled by the varying of thepressure of the lifting fluid in the casing, means on the surface of theWell for controlling the operation of the fastening and releasing means,means on the surface of the well to control the flow of a pressure fluidto operate for a period said surface controlling means, means on thesurface of the well to control the flow of a pressure fluid todiscontinue the operation of said surface controlling means, and meanswhereby both of said surface flow control means are actuated by theflowing well fluids in the tubing and having adjusting means forcontrolling and independently regulating the operating periods of saidmeans.

17. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, thecombination of, a plurality of lifting fluid inlet valves mounted in thetubing for admitting lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing, saidvalves adapted to be selectively and intermittently operated, meanscontrolled from the top of the well for bringing about the locking ofsaid valves, said means also adapted to unlock said valves, said valveshaving elements which are responsive to pressure differentials betweenthe well fluid and the lifting fluid and these elements are operablewhen said valves are unlocked, surface control means operated by apressure fluid for actuating said surface operated means, a flow conduitconnected to the surface control means for conveying the actuatingpressure fluid thereto, valve means connected to the conduit forcontrolling the flow through said conduit, and a release valve connectedto said conduit for controlling the flow of pressure fluid in saidconduit to said surface control means or venting the pressure fluid fromsaid surface control means, and means whereby said valve means andrelease valve are actuated by the pressure of the flowing fluids in thetubing.

18. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, thecombination of, a plurality of lifting fluid inlet valves mounted in thetubing for admitting lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing, saidvalves adapted to be selectively and intermittently operated, meanscontrolled from the top of the well for bringing about the locking ofsaid valves, Said means also adapted to unlock said valves, said, valveshaving elements which are responsive to pressure differentials betweenthe well flu'idand the lifting fluid and these elements are op rablewhen said valves are unlocked, surface control means operated by a.pressure fluid for actuating said surface operated m'eans, a flowconduit connected to the surface control means for conveying theactuating pressure fluid thereto, valvemeans connected to the conduitfor controlling, the flow through said conduit, and a release valveconnected to said conduit for controlling the flow of pressure fluid insaid conduit to said surface control means or venting the pressure fluidfrom said surface control means, and means whereby said valve means andrelease valve are actuated by the pressure of the flowing fluids in thetubing, said valve means and release valve having adjusting means forcontrolling and independently regulating the opening and closing periodsthereof.

19. Ina well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mounted therein, thecombination of, a plurality of lifting fluid inlet valves mounted in thetubing for admitting lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing, saidvalves adapted to be selectively and intermittently operated, meanscontrolled from the top of the well for bringing about the locking ofsaid valves, said means also adapted to unlock said valves, said valveshaving elements which are responsive to pressure differentials betweenthe well fluid and the lifting fluid and these elements are operablewhen said valves are unlocked, surface control means operated by apressure fluid for actuating said surface operated means, a flow conduitconnected to the surface control means for conveying the actuatingpressure fluid thereto, means for controlling the flow of fluid to theconduit at a reduced pressure, valve means connected to the conduit forcontrolling the flow through said conduit, and a release valve connectedto said conduit for controlling the flow of pressure fluid in saidconduit to said surface control means or venting the pressure fluid'fromsaid surface control means, and means whereby said valve means andrelease valve are actuated by the pressure of the flowing fluids in thetub- 20. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is providedwith a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubing string is mountedtherein, the combination of, a plurality of lifting fluid inlet valvesmounted in the tubing for admitting lifting fluid from the casing to thetubing, said valves adapted to be selectively and intermittentlyoperated, means controlled from the top of the Well for bringing aboutthe locking of said .valves, said means also adapted to unlock saidvalves, said valves having elements which are responsive to pressuredifferentials between the well fluid and the lifting fluid and theseelements are operable when said valves are unlocked, surface controlmeans operated by a pressure fluid for actuating said surface operatedmeans, a flow conduit connected to the surface control meansfor'conveying the actuating pressure fluid there? to, means forcontrolling the flow of fluid to the conduit for controlling the flowthrough said conduit, and a release valve connected to said conduit forcontrolling the flow of pressure fluid in said conduit to said surfacecontrol means or venting the pressure fluid from said surface controlmeans, and means whereby ,said valve means Icasing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein, thecombination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve connected to the tubing foradmitting well and lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking said valve against operation or unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing and thelifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve is unlocked,actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating said surfaceoperated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating means forsupplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,surface control means con- 23. In a well flowing apparatus wherein awell casing is provided with a supply of lifting fluid and a well tubingis mounted therein, the combination of, a lifting fluid inlet valveconnected to the tubing for admitting well and lifting fluid from thecasing to the tubing to flow well fluid through said "tubing, meanscontrolled from the surface of the well for locking said valve 'againstcondluit extending to said actuating means .for

supplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,surface control means connected to said flow conduit for controlling theflow of a pressure fluid through said conduit to control theoperation ofsaid actuating means, valve means in said surface control means forcontrolling the flow through the surfacecontrol means, and valve meansin said surface control means for controlling the flow to. said Qactuating means to operate said actuating means or for releasing thefluid from said actuating means to return said actuating means after thenected to said flo'w conduit for controlling the flow of a pressurefluid through said conduit to control the operation of said actuatingmeans. valve means in said surface control means for controlling theflow through the surface control means, and valve means in said surfacecontrol means for controlling the flow to said actuating means tooperate said actuating means or for releasing the fluid from saidactuating means to return said actuating means after the same has beenoperated, and means whereby both of said valve means are actuated by thepressure of the flowing fluids in said tubing.

22. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein, thecombination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve connected to the tubing foradmitting well and lifting fluid 4 from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid actuating means on the surface of the well for actuatingsaidsurface operated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating meansfor supplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,surface control means connected to said flow conduit for controlling theflow of a pressure fluid through said conduit to control the operationof said actuating means,

valvemeans in said surface control means for controlling the flowthrough the surface control means, and valve means in said surfacecontrol means for controlling the flow to said actuating means tooperate said actuating means or for releasing the fluid from saidactuating means to return said actuating means after the same has beenoperated, and means whereby both of said valve means are actuated by thepressure of the flowing fluids in said tubing, said valve means havingadjusting means for controlling and independently regulating the openedand closed periods of said valve means.

same has been operated, and means whereby both valve means are actuatedby the pressure of the flowing fluids in said tubing.

24. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein, thecombination of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubing foradmitting well and lifting fluid from the casing to the tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking said valve against operation or unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing and thelifting fluid' in the casing and operable when said valve is unlocked,actuating means on the surface of the well for actuating said surfaceoperated means, a flow conduit extending to said actuating means forsupplying a pressure fluid thereto to operate said actuating means,valve means connected in the conduit for controlling the flow throughthe conduit, valve means connected to the flow conduit in addition tothe first valve means for venting said flow conduit when said firstvalve means has terminated the flow of fluid through said conduit, andmeans whereby said first and second valve means are-actuated by thepressure of. the flowing fluids in said tubing.

25. In a well flowing apparatus wherein a well casing is provided with asupply of lifting fluid and a well tubing is mounted therein, thecombination'of, a lifting fluid inlet valve mounted in the tubing foradmitting well and! lifting fluid from the casing to the-tubing to flowwell fluid through said tubing, means controlled from the surface of thewell for locking said valve against operation or unlocking said valvewhere it may be operated, said valve having elements responsive topressure differentials between the well fluid in the tubing and thelifting fluid in the casing and operable when said valve is unlocked,

conduit for controlling the flow through the conduit, valve meansconnected to the flow conduit in addition to the first valve means forventing said flow conduit when said first valve means has terminated theflow through said conduit,

means whereby said first and second valve means

